Apodidae
Swifts are fast, aerial insectivores related to hummingbirds.
The Apodidae, commonly known as swifts, are a family of highly aerial birds placed in the order Apodiformes along with hummingbirds. They are superficially similar to swallows but are not closely related to any passerine species; the resemblance is due to convergent evolution reflecting similar lifestyles based on catching insects in flight. The family name is derived from the Greek ἄπους (ápous), meaning 'footless,' a reference to their small, weak legs, and the tradition of depicting swifts without feet continued into the Middle Ages, as seen in the heraldic martlet.
- Field
- Ornithology
- Known for
- Extremely fast flight, aerial insectivory, and use of saliva nests in some species
- Number of species
- Around 100
- Subfamilies
- Cypseloidinae and Apodinae
- Maximum speed
- Up to 169 km/h (105 mph) in the white-throated needletail
- Smallest species
- Pygmy swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes), 5.4 g and 9 cm long
- Largest species
- Purple needletail (Hirundapus celebensis), 184 g and 25 cm long
Lore & Background
Swifts are among the fastest birds in level flight, with larger species like the white-throated needletail reported traveling at up to 169 km/h (105 mph). The common swift can cruise at a maximum speed of 31 metres per second (112 km/h; 70 mph) and can cover at least 200,000 km in a single year, and about two million kilometers in a lifetime. Their wingtip bones are proportionately longer than those of most other birds, allowing them to alter wing shape and area for efficiency and maneuverability. They share with hummingbirds the ability to rotate wings from the base, deriving power on both the upstroke and downstroke, which benefits control and maneuverability in the air.
Reader's Guide
Swifts are significant as a family of highly specialized aerial insectivores that have evolved convergent traits with swallows despite not being closely related. Their taxonomy is complicated, with genus and species boundaries widely disputed, especially among swiftlets, due to parallel evolution and equivocal DNA analyses. The Apodiformes diversified during the Eocene, with fossil genera known from temperate Europe. Swifts occur on all continents except Antarctica, and temperate species are strongly migratory. Some species, like the edible-nest swiftlet, produce nests of hardened saliva used in bird's nest soup for over 400 years, leading to over-harvesting and population declines. No swift species has become extinct since 1600, but several are listed as vulnerable. Their flight adaptations, including echolocation in some swiftlets, make them a subject of ongoing ornithological study.
Did You Know?
- The family name Apodidae means 'footless' in Greek, referring to their small, weak legs.
- Swiftlets have developed echolocation for navigating dark cave systems.
- The nests of edible-nest swiftlets are used in bird's nest soup and have been harvested for over 400 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Apodidae?
Apodidae is the family of swifts, a group of roughly 100 bird species classified under the order Apodiformes, making them close relatives of hummingbirds rather than swallows. Despite looking like swallows at a glance, their resemblance is purely the result of convergent evolution driven by a shared aerial, insect-catching lifestyle.
What are Apodidae's signature powers?
Swifts are built almost entirely for life in the air, with the white-throated needletail reaching speeds of about 169 km/h (105 mph) — one of the fastest recorded for any bird. They feed almost exclusively on insects snatched mid-flight and, in some species, even glue their nests together using their own saliva.
Where does Apodidae's name come from?
The family name comes from the Greek word ápous, meaning 'footless,' a nod to their tiny, weak legs that make them look as though they have no feet at all. This 'footless' image stuck so firmly in medieval culture that it inspired the heraldic martlet, a winged creature depicted without legs.
Why is Apodidae important in the bird world?
As dedicated aerial insectivores, swifts play a key ecological role by keeping flying insect populations in check across many regions. The family also showcases remarkable diversity, splitting into two subfamilies — Cypseloidinae and Apodinae — and spanning a huge range of body sizes.
Who is Apodidae's smallest member?
The pygmy swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes) holds that title, weighing a mere 5.4 grams and measuring just 9 cm in length. Despite its tiny frame, it still lives the classic swift lifestyle of catching insects on the wing.
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